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Unfortunately, especially for those with overactive bladder disorder,
the term comes into play with urge incontinence and urinary incontinence.

You've talked with your doctor, so now is time to talk with
those closest to you. Telling others about might be a seemingly-embarrassing
point, but it's an integral part of keeping one less thing on your mind.

Telling those close to you about your OAB will help you feel
more comfortable excusing yourself in the middle of a dinner. It might even
help you have another set of eyes looking for a bathroom.

While it might be a potentially-embarrassing conversation to
start, it's important to remember that it could possibly be harder to talk
about it than for someone else to accept it.

When it's time for the discussion, you don't need to
broadcast it. Choose a comfortable, private spot free of distractions. Avoid
telling them over the phone because something like a simple pause could be
misinterpreted.

Whether your family, partner, friends or co-workers, don't
feel compelled to disclose information if you're uncomfortable or if you feel
the other person isn't being compassionate and supportive.

With professionals estimating that as many as one in six
adults in the U.S. suffers from some form of OAB, know you're not alone in this
conversation.

How to Tell Your Partner

Since your partner has a very intimate and personal
relationship you don't share with anyone else, you might want to spare the
nitty-gritty details on the initial conversation. But as with any romantic
relationship, the more you're willing to share, the stronger your relationship
could be.

But timing is everything: don't start the conversation when
being intimate.

Explain the best you can what your physician has told you
and how it could affect your life. Talk about changes it could make to your
routine and lifestyle, such as limiting alcohol, other liquids and caffeine,
and possibly other treatments determined by your physician. Assure them that
OAB will be the reason should you have to excuse yourself from a romantic
situation or why you get up during the middle of the night.

Answer the questions he or she might have the best you can:
What kind of restrictions does this have on our relationship? What is needed to
treat it? How will treatments affect you? Is this contagious? How does this
affect intimacy? Does this affect having children?

Telling Your Family & Friends

Bringing up your urinary schedule over Thanksgiving dinner
isn't the best idea, but telling your loved ones is important to living with
OAB. Whether you tell them as a group or individually, do as you see fit.

Like you will with your partner, explain your disorder,
lifestyle changes, treatments, and anything else relevant with your friends and
family.

Let them know your OAB is the reason you might be timid of
new places, and might not be in for long road trips without some pit stops. Ask
them to be as supportive as possible.

Again, only share what you're comfortable with, even if they
ask for all the details. They don't need to know about every trip to the
bathroom or what the urges feel like.

Be prepared for the questions: Will this inhibit travel for
visits or vacation in anyway? Will you need any kind of assistance? How big of
an impact will this have on your life? Is this a genetic condition?

Telling Your Co-workers

The workplace might be the trickiest of places to talk about
your OAB. While you don't want to ignite water cooler talk, your conversation
with co-workers should be designed to make things more comfortable for you.

Divulging medical information at work is a tricky area. It's
best not to address specifics, especially medication, details of treatment,
etc. Your employer is also liable in certain situations, so vagueness protects
not only you but your boss, too.

The fewer unnecessary details you provide could be better to
maintain a professional work relationship.

Depending on the nature of your work, explain only what
would directly affect your co-workers, like needing to be close to a restroom
if you work outdoors or having to excuse yourself from a meeting if you work in
an office.

They might have questions, too. How will this affect your
work? Will you be taking a leave of absence? Does this put you on restricted
duty?

No matter who you tell,
don't be embarrassed by what you have to say. It's your life and you should be
able to live it as comfortable as possible.